576 DISEASES OF SWINE 



times develop, especially if the hogs be allowed to follow the cattle 

 for any length of time. 



Symptoms of this form of poisoning are slow to develop, 

 and may not be seen for several weeks after the animals begin to 

 eat the cotton-seed or cotton-seed products. The symptoms de- 

 velop gradually, and consist principally of loss of appetite, dul- 

 ness, staggering gait, and marked muscular weakness. The 

 breathing becomes difficult and often spasmodic in nature. As 

 the symptoms become more pronounced spasmodic contractions 

 of the diaphragm occur and we have the condition known as 

 "tjiumps." 



In more severe cases there are no noticeable symptoms what- 

 ever. The animal which was well in the evening is found dead in 

 the nests in the morning. This is the form which is especially 

 likely to occur where the animals are fed on the raw cotton-seed 

 meal and given large amounts of it. In animals that follow cattle 

 that are feeding upon cotton-seed meal the disease develops more 

 slowly, and shows more of the symptoms mentioned in the pre- 

 ceding paragraph. 



Where the disease is somewhat long-drawn-out in nature, the ani- 

 mal develops a number of symptoms due to irritation of the ner- 

 vous system. Most prominent among these symptoms are loss of 

 sight, restlessness, running around in a circle and butting into ob- 

 jects, such as the fence, trees, and other obstructions which may be 

 seen in the feed lot. The symptoms in these cases are somewhat 

 similar to those produced by gid worms in sheep. The animal 

 finally dies from exhaustion. 



Treatment. — In these cases treatment is largely preventive. 

 Cotton-seed meal must be fed with caution, and its extensive use 

 should not be continued for more than two weeks at a time. In 

 the case of animals that are following cattle fed on cotton-seed 

 careful watch must be kept for any signs of ill effects. 



Active treatment consists in giving a full dose of castor oil as 

 soon as symptoms are noted. This may be followed by the ad- 

 ministration of tonics, such as powdered nux vomixa, iron, and 

 powdered gentian. Change the diet and exclude all cotton-seed or 

 cotton-seed meal products. 



